Trump’s Shock Message to Iran at the UN: 'Agreement or Non-Existence'

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a speech at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026, that he was at a critical decision point on Iran. Trump added that if no agreement were reached between Washington and Tehran, he could take tougher military steps against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Trump's Emphasis on 'Agreement'

Trump said he must choose between an agreement that would allow Iran to rebuild and become a stronger country, and the rapid elimination of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In his speech, the U.S. President referred to an extremely hard military option against the Iranian regime.

Message on Nuclear Weapons

Trump reiterated that Washington would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. The President said preventing Iran from developing its nuclear capacity was one of the core objectives of U.S. policy toward Iran. According to Reuters, Trump also said that U.S. and Iranian officials had met during the day and that contacts between the two countries were continuing.

Negotiations Lasted Three Hours

In a statement following his speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump said that U.S. and Iranian officials held a meeting that lasted about three hours on the same day. Trump, who did not share details of the meeting, said the session went well. According to Reuters, Trump also said he believes a deal will be reached with Iran.

Middle East War Nears Seven Months

While the war between the U.S. and Iran has been ongoing for about seven months, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue. The Associated Press reported that wars in the Middle East were among the main topics on the international agenda during the UN General Assembly meetings. Iran's President Mesud Pezeşkiyan, however, approaches new negotiations with caution.

Diplomatic Search for Hormuz

A senior Iranian official said in a statement to Reuters that if the U.S. lifts the blockade, Iran could reopen the Hormuz Strait, through which shipping traffic in the Gulf of Basra passes, within a few days. The Iranian side views the UN General Assembly as an important opportunity to restart the diplomatic process with Washington.

Trump Sets Date for Deal

Trump said a potential deal with Iran could be brought to the table after the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. He also urged other nations to increase economic pressure on Iran and to isolate Tehran economically.

New Channel for the U.S.-Iran Topic

The possibility of direct diplomatic contact between Washington and Tehran is also on the agenda within the scope of the UN General Assembly. According to Axios, Arab states are attempting to mediate a high‑level meeting in New York between the two sides. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Washington is open to talks with Iranian officials.

Iran Takes Center Stage on Trump's UN Agenda

In his roughly 37‑minute address, Trump touched on Iran as well as Venezuela, Ukraine, Gaza, Mexico, Cuba, and artificial intelligence. The President said he planned to hold meetings with a host of leaders, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy, and representatives from Gulf countries, following his speech.